Potassium containing preparation, process for the production thereof and use thereof

Abstract

The invention is directed to a potassium containing preparation or potassium bolus for the prevention or treatment of potassium deficit and optionally other deficit of minerals in ruminants, a process for the production thereof as well as the use thereof. The present invention makes it possible to provide a potassium containing preparation or potassium bolus with a high content of up to 70 wt.-% of potassium salt, based on the total weight of the potassium containing preparation, by adding only a relatively small amount of calcium chloride (15 to 40 wt.-%) and water (10 to 22 wt.-%) to the potassium salt.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a potassium containing preparation or potassium bolus, a process for the production thereof and the use thereof.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]It is well known that dairy cows during specific periods of their life and / or under specific management or disease conditions face short periods, where they have an increased requirement for specific minerals such as calcium (Ca) and / or phosphorous (P) and / or potassium (K). For example, like sodium (Na), cattle need potassium (K) in large amounts to maintain normal body and organ function. Potassium works in conjunction with Na in the body to transport nutrients in and out of cells.[0003]Potassium is the third most abundant mineral in the body and of major importance to the functioning of nerve cells and muscle cells. Hypokalemia may cause reduced gastro intestinal motility, reduced feed intake, reduced water intake, reduced body weight, dehydration, reduced milk yield and muscula...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0026]Surprisingly, it has been found that a combination of calcium chloride, water and a potassium salt makes it possible to obtain a solid mass or bolus with an unexpected high content of potassium salt which may be readily administered to ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats, preferably cattle or bovine, particularly preferred cows, especially dairy cows.

[0057]Due to the selected administration form for the potassium supplement as bolus, a simple administration and precise dose adjustment is achieved, no waste is produced and the risk of aspiration of the potassium bolus into the lungs of the animal is avoided in practice. Since the potassium salt such as potassium chloride is embedded in the solid calcium chloride crystal the unpleasant, bitter tasting of the potassium salt is masked, so that there will arise no problems during the administration to the animals at all.

[0076]Subsequently, in step (d) the obtained suspension is formed into a suitable form, e.g. a usually known bolus shape, for example filled into a suitable form, and it is allowed to cool to a temperature in the range of from 15° C. to 30° C., preferably 17° C. to 28° C., 19° C. to 27° C., even more preferred 20° C. to 25° C. In order to speed up the cooling procedure it might be purposive to adjust a very low temperature such as 2 to 5° C. to reach the end temperature of the solid mass very quickly.

Problems solved by technology

Hypokalemia may cause reduced gastro intestinal motility, reduced feed intake, reduced water intake, reduced body weight, dehydration, reduced milk yield and muscular weakness which may ultimately lead to recumbency.

In cows off feed or with in-appetence therefore the reduced feed intake leads to reduced potassium supplementation, which may soon lead to hypokalemia.

Since potassium chloride has a very unpleasant bitter tasting, usually the animals must be force-treated.

In the case aqueous solutions are to be given, this may cause the potassium chloride to enter the lungs, which may be fatal to the animal.

Furthermore, the use of a potassium containing gel results in dosage problems due to difficulties associated with the discharge of the gel from the container.

In addition, also a gel provides the unpleasant taste.

However, the potassium content of such capsules is very low so that a considerable number of capsules must be given to the animal to be treated within relatively short intervals of time which is not practicable.

However, it is not possible today with any known technique to make solid boluses with a content of potassium chloride equal to or higher than approximately 40% (w / w).

With such a low inclusion rate it is not possible to include the required content of potassium because the bolus becomes too big for the ruminant, e.g. a cow, to swallow.

Consequently, there are no solid potassium boluses available in the market place today.

The same technique as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,622 cannot be used for making a potassium containing preparation or potassium bolus, since there are potassium salts such as potassium chloride that does not contain crystal water and therefore it is difficult to convert theses salts into the solid state again.